Correct the dog by strengthening

Strengthening an action or behavior means forward it immediately (at least in the minute) something rewarding for the dog as food, a look of approval or a caress to increase the likelihood that it repeats. Repetition, even accidental, of reinforced behavior allows the dog to associate it to the building. Thus, whenever it wishes to this award, he repeat it.

Let us take an example: the dog scratching at the door because he wants to get out in the garden to its needs (motivation) and the master, finding the funny thing, the fate (building). In this case, it is a positive reinforcement. Are positive all those that cause pleasure: be able to relieve themselves, obtain food, water, cuddling, sexual activity, adopt a curious behavior, walking, in other words those so-called awards in the language current.

The dog learns independently of all teaching to receive a reward for his action. In this case, it fixed in his memory determined TABP and uses it when he needs. The same example is scratching at the door to get out, also allows us to understand how certain annoying behaviors can appear and be grown. It is important to always keep the initiative to strengthen do not: it is not always available and doors damaged.

A building will be followed by the greatest effect if it was private for some time because it sets the action in the spirit of the dog: the desire will be all the greater it will be happy to receive the reward. Using food, we recommend to keep the dog fasting before the rehabilitation or, if rewarded by hugging, avoid cajole for about two hours. It is different of the delicacy, which is always positive even if the animal has consumed a meal abundant shortly before.

The building must be given intermittently. When you start a training program, must be rewarded the animal whenever he successfully performs an action. As and as he learns, it will strengthen a number of correct behaviour, that will follow other attitudes still correct but not winning: in this way, the dog answers remain constant at the time, fixing indelible in his memory.

It is also important to take account of theintensity of the building. It was found in experimental studies, it was good to give a simple answer to a tantalizing reward. To teach an exercise more, better is to use a building less desirable to not induce an excessive expectation that surexciterait the dog, reducing its ability to concentrate.

Truffles researchers know very well: in fact, they reward the experienced dog who finds a truffle (action far from simple) with a piece of dry bread or a caress, while they use treats very appetizing to initiate the puppies looking for the precious fungus.

There is then a particular form of building: the negative reinforcement. This is a difficult or painful stimulus for the dog as a result of which the animal will adopt a behavior to avoid it. In similar circumstances, it will repeat this behavior. Negative reinforcement must be strong enough to scare him, but not to the point it traumatizing. In addition, the dog must be able to adopt an alternative behavior (flee).

For example, if we sprayed a substance to smell when it corrodes a piece of furniture, it will respond by fleeing. Suffice it then see the furniture and recognize the odor away because it will associate with the uncomfortable feeling that it has proven previously and it will thus seek to avoid it.